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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Essential oils have been used for healing and medicinal purposes for centuries and most certainly long before we had pills, capsules and big pharma to take care of our medical woes. And while there is a place for manufactured pharmaceuticals in our survival medicine kit, there exists the possibility that none will be available or that they will be in such scarce supply that they should be reserved for only the most dire of circumstances.

For that reason, many preppers and individuals seeking self-reliance are learning to use essential oils to manage the both routine and not-so-routine maladies that occur in daily life. There are about a dozen or so essential oils that belong in every survival kit including tea tree, peppermint, lavender, clove, rosemary and lemon among others. All of these essential oils have healing properties but today I would like to focus on just one, tea tree oil.

A Brief History Of Tea Tree Oil

It is believed that the Aborigines of Australia have been using the leaves of the indigenous Malaleuca Tree (whose leaves are used to make tea tree oil) in their medications for centuries. They inhaled the oils from the crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds, sprinkled crushed leaves on their wounds and used an infusion of soaked leaves to treat sore throats or skin ailments.

Use of the oil itself, as opposed to the un-extracted plant material, did not become common practice until researcher Arthur Penfold published the first reports of its antimicrobial activity in a series of papers in the 1920s and 1930s. In evaluating the antimicrobial activity, he found that tea tree oil was 11 times more active than phenol.

The commercial tea tree oil industry was born shortly thereafter although interest in tea tree oil ebbed after World War II, presumably due to the development of effective antibiotics and the waning image of natural products. Interest was rekindled in the 1970s as part of the general renaissance of interest in natural products.

80 USES OF TEA TREE OIL FOR SURVIVAL

For thousands of years, the derivatives of the Malaleuca Tree have been effective in treating a wide variety of ailments. Here are 80 reasons why you should use it, too!

Abrasions & Minor Cuts: After cleaning the area well, apply a few drops of the oil directly. If a bandage is needed, allow a few drops of the oil to penetrate a cotton ball, then lay it face down on the wound with a bandage on top.

Acne: Add a drop to your normal cleansing routine or dab a very small amount on acne breakouts. You can also add 20 – 40 drops of the oil to your regular face wash.

Air Freshener: Keep a supply of cotton balls soaked in tea tree oil packed away in a plastic bag or tin. When confronted with foul smells from cooking, musty orders from dampness or even the medicinal smell in a sick room, take a few out the freshen the air and remove the nasty smell.

Allergies: Use topically by massaging into the chest, abdomen or the reflex points of the feet.

Arthritis: To help reduce pain associated with the swelling of arthritis, add 20 drops of tea tree oil to 2 ounces of grapeseed or other carrier oil. Massage into affected area 2-3 times a day.

Asthma: Add a few drops of oil to a pan of water and heat on stove. When cooling, drape a towel over head and breath in for a few minutes.

Athletes Foot: Clean feet thoroughly, especially between toes. Add oil directly to feet every two weeks, dusting with corn starch after. Or add 10 drops oil to 1 tbsp of grapeseed or other carrier oil and massage on feet and between toes daily.

Boils: Apply a warm washcloth for a few minutes. Then apply a drop or two of oil to the area – the infection should rise to surface and eventually be released.

Bronchial Congestion: Use as directed for Asthma. Add 5 – 10 drops to 1 ounce of carrier oil, and massage into chest and throat 2 – 3 times daily.

Bronchitis: Add 1-2 drops to a pan of hot water and breath in the steam, or massage the oil over the chest.

Bruises: After icing, apply oil as directed for Arthritis.

Bunions: Massage area with 5 drops oil to 1 tbsp. of carrier oil.

Burns: Run icy cold water on area. After a few minutes, add a mix of 5 drops oil with 1 tsp. raw honey. Repeat 3 – 5 times daily.

Calluses & Corns: Massage area with 5 drops oil to 1 tbsp. of carrier oil. Repeat 2 times daily. Once the corn or calluses have become soft use tweezers to remove, and apply a few drops of tea tree oil and cover with bandage.

Canker Sores: Apply a drop or two of oil directly to infected area with a cotton swab, 2 times daily. Also, rinse as directed for bad breath.

Carbuncles: Add a drop or two of oil to cotton swab and apply directly to carbuncle. Repeat twice daily.

Earache and Infection: Add 2 – 3 drops of oil to 2 tbsp warm olive oil. With a dropper, drop a small amount into aching ear, tilting head to one side for a moment. Use cotton swab to absorb oil. Repeat 2 – 3 times daily.

Homemade Mouthwash: Make a simple homemade mouthwash with purified water and tea tree oil.

Household Cleaning: Can be used aromatically or added to homemade cleaners to kill germs and prevent the spread of colds and flus. You can make a general tea tree cleaner by combining 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend and use for household cleaning tasks. This is especially good in the bathroom and in toilets.

Immune System: To stimulate the immune system, diffuse through the air on a regular basis, massage into the soles of the feet to increase your immune response.

Infected Wounds: Adding the oil to steaming water, hold the infected area over the steam. Or dilute 1 drop of tea tree with 1 cup of water and rinse the infected area 1-2 times a day, as needed.

Inflammation: Massage over the inflamed areas, gently and always toward the heart, or diffuse and inhale the tea tree oil directly or indirectly.

Tonsillitis: Inhale from steaming water with tea tree, gargle, and massage into neck and soles of feet.

Vaginal Infection: Add several drops to the bath water.

Viral Infections: Diffuse tea tree oil throughout the home or inhale from steaming water.

Warts: Apply undiluted directly to wart. Use morning and night, until wart begins to disappear. Dilute if necessary for sensitive skin.

Wounds: Soak wounded area in water with tea tree oil, or spritz from a bottle of water with several drops of oil. Depending on the wound and your own sensitivity you may be able to apply directly.

A NOTE ABOUT CARRIER OILS

In order to effectively use essential oils – not just tea tree oil – it is often necessary to dilute the essential oil in another oil so that it can be easily spread or massaged on the affected area. These oils are called “carrier” oils. Common carrier oils include coconut oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil and others.

Fractionated coconut oil [remains liquid] and grapeseed oil are favorites because they are odorless and in the case of fractionated coconut oil, immune to rancidity. In practical use, any oil can be used if you do not have one of these more therapeutic oils on hand.

The properties of the various carrier oils is beyond the scope of this article but my favorite? Easy. Fractionated coconut oil. Is is relatively inexpensive, odorless and has a long shelf life making it perfect for the survival kit.

THE FINAL WORD

My first experience with tea tree oil occurred in the '80s when I was faced with a nail fungus that would not go away. The pharmaceutical solutions at the time (and for all I know, even now) were harsh and required frequent monitoring of liver enzymes. For a simple, non-life threatening nail fungus, I chose to pass. After using a topical application of tea tree oil for three months, the fungus was all but gone.

I then became interested in aromatherapy (which uses essential oils). I read every book I could get my hands on and dabbled at creating synergies (a combination of two or more oils that create a chemical compound that is greater than the sum of its individual components). My bible then, and even now, is The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood.

Since then I have used essential oils off and on for a variety of woes and have never been disappointed. My recommendation is that you pick up a few essential oils – and especially some tea tree oil – and start to use them now to supplement any other remedies that you are using to keep your family and your home in tip top shape.

Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!

Gaye started Backdoor Survival to share her angst and concern about our deteriorating economy and its impact on ordinary, middle-class folks. She also wanted to become a prepper of the highest order and to share her knowledge as she learned it along the way. She considers her sharing of knowledge her way of giving back and as always, we at Activist Post are grateful for her contributions.

41 comments:

Ting The Merciless
said...

Great article.

I have been using tea tree oil for about 30 years and can vouch for its efficacy in many of the above uses. There are also many more included in your list that I hadn't encountered/thought of, so thank very much, Gaye. Tea tree is always my first choice for medical and personal hygiene issues.

"Tree tea oil can be very toxic if swallowed, should not be put in ears, please see the warnings on livestrong.com. (Under, tea tree oil uses).

Sorry, but you are citing from an article which is quoting again itself without naming the source. I use regularly a lotion of tea tree oil and virgin olive oil to clean my ear and it's fine.B.t.w.: How much tea tree oil must be swallowed to be toxic? Did you ever hear or read about such a case?

rude much? susan was just trying to look out for people... no need to attack! also where is this article getting its facts from? but you're completely fine with trusting their opinion?! anyways, i think this was helpful article, with which i will use the information and continue to carefully use this product until their is more research done about it :)http://www.poison.org/poisonpost/winter2010/teatreeoil.htm

I cannot believe how much of this information is plagiarized. Here is what was written in this article about the history of tea tree. "The commercial tea tree oil industry was born shortly thereafter although interest in tea tree oil ebbed after World War II, presumably due to the development of effective antibiotics and the waning image of natural products. Interest was rekindled in the 1970s as part of the general renaissance of interest in natural products."

Here is what was written by C. F. Carson, K. A. Hammer, and T. V. Riley in a review of scientific studies done on tea tree oil "Production ebbed after World War II as demand for the oil declined, presumably due to the development of effective antibiotics and the waning image of natural products. Interest in the oil was rekindled in the 1970s as part of the general renaissance of interest in natural products".

I am all for the sharing of information, but don't take someone else's work and make it out to be your own. Give credit where credit is due. Bad writing indeed!

This information was provided to help. If you dont like how it was written just move on to another source and dont bother leaving a comment! I use tea tree oil for a lot of things and it really does work. Naturally.. it was a nice article and very helpful

For the person asking about wrinkles on the face; another Aussie product is very good...emu oil. And yes, it does come from emus. But not whilst they are still alive. The oil is deposited on their necks, I believe, and protects them from the sun. It makes the thin skin on the face a bit thicker, thus wrinkles are smoothed out.

I used tea tree oil and it helped heal my mrsa on my leg. I'm allergic to all antibiotics...yes All. So I have to rely on natural medicine and herbs. Tea Tree oil and olive oil is both great for a lot of things and Noni Juice.

I was previously involved in the commercial extraction of this product a must say the studies quoted in this report is regards to oral consumption are in accurate. Although I would never drink it using the current extraction method (distillation), a totally different method of extraction using more mature leaves, no heat, over a longer period of time has resulted in a higher turpin 4 ol level, and proving less harsh on the my body.I have been drinking 1ml in water, 3 times a day for 4 months with no side affects. This post is not to encourage anyone to drink tea tree oil in its current form but to inform people that a lot of the information you read is old and I don't think there will be new information out anytime soon.

I used tea tree oil and it helped heal my mrsa on my leg. I'm allergic to all antibiotics...yes All. So I have to rely on natural medicine and herbs. Tea Tree oil and olive oil is both great for a lot of things and Noni Juice.

How did u apply it to your wound??? I am currently trying to get an infected finger to heal. I would love to avoid using antibiotics if at all possible. I just bought some tea tree oil, and massaged some into my finger, aping with some coconut oil. Would love any help!!

I was told about tea tree oil by my gf I tried it by applying undiluted to rash and undiluted to ingrown hairs and no problems yet but rash and ingrown hairs going away I'm about to try the toe nail fungus suggestion I just find it sad ppl have nothing better to do than jump thru sites leaving lame and pathetic bashes or use its reply section as a insult board calling some one an urban primate lol funny how brave they are when in front of a electronic device its just sad author ty for your site and the word you did to inform ppl about tea tree oil and just laugh at the sad individuals who have nothing better to do with their life than site bash

I was told about tea tree oil by my gf I tried it by applying undiluted to rash and undiluted to ingrown hairs and no problems yet but rash and ingrown hairs going away I'm about to try the toe nail fungus suggestion I just find it sad ppl have nothing better to do than jump thru sites leaving lame and pathetic bashes or use its reply section as a insult board calling some one an urban primate lol funny how brave they are when in front of a electronic device its just sad author ty for your site and the word you did to inform ppl about tea tree oil and just laugh at the sad individuals who have nothing better to do with their life than site bash

I use tea tree oil and almond oil for eczema and psoriasis if I can't get hold of almond oil I use Olive oil thank the lord for tea tree oil, I even use it in shampoo, put it in the bath, I even take it camping to keep bugs out the tent I love the smell so it's a bonus.

Wow I love tea oil. I love the aroma and how it works too. The other day I was working on my yard and came contact with poison oak. Oh my goodness the results i got from rubbing tea oil on the effected area was amazing. No itching and gone in two days.

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